Innovation and Grants Department
The Peoria Public Schools' Innovation and Grants Office provides unique opportunities for students. Currently, the department is managing over $18 million dollars in competitive grant money providing for after-school, weekend, summer, and daytime activities as well as academic supports for students. These monies range from paid student internships and job salaries to additional educational support for academic and social-emotional development. Specializing in personalizing learning for students, the Innovation Team works to identify unique learning experiences for students for an enhanced education.
The Innovation and Grants Office also oversees the Career and Technical Education program at Woodruff. The Career and Technical programs offer dual credit and high school credit to help your student on their way to a career right after high school or entry into college or technical school. Visit the Woodruff website and click on programs to learn more about the wide range of offerings: Woodruff Career and Technical Education. Students attend Woodruff a portion of the day with the rest of the day in their home high school.
Virtual Peoria
The Online Learning Academy has expanded developed into Virtual Peoria. Contact Barb Closen for K-8 programming or see website information. For more information about having your students taking online programs for high school credit recovery, acceleration, or program needs, contact your student's high school counselor. For K-8 programs, contact Barbara.Closen@psd150.org.
Cyber-Security Certificate - Informational Technology Dual Credit Program
The Cyber-Security/IT programming class may be taken in person at Woodruff Career and Technical Education Center or on-your-own with weekly teacher check in meetings. By the end of the four courses, students will earn their Cyber-Security Certification and can be hired at most any business with a robust IT system at high wages. Students may earn up to four industry-recognized credentials. This is a high-demand career field, especially for Central Illinois. For more information, go to the Woodruff Career and Technical Education page.
Office Occupations
Is your student interested in secretarial, clerical, reception, customer service, court reporting, or data entry to name a few occupations? Then, this set of courses may be for them. With the opportunity to earn several industry-recognized credentials, this high-demand career field is well-paying. Peoria Public Schools is willing to hire successful candidates in various departments or schools. For more information, go to the Woodruff Career and Technical Education page.
AP Computer Science through Amazon
Students wishing to take an AP Computer Science class for credit, for interest, or to just gain more information, may want to select our AP Computer Science classes from Mr. William Smith. A new group begins each fall. This year, 2022-2023, we have added CS Python Essentials. Students work at their own speed and have weekly access to the teacher. After this class, students may want to consider the IT CyberSecurity courses as a next pathway. See link on left side of the page for more information and registration directions.
ESPORTS
Peoria Public Schools started IHSA Sanctioned ESports Teams in February of 2022. Teams are situated at each high school with the first teams competing in their first state tournament in April of 2022. For more information, contact the athletic director at your student's high school. To donate to expand and support the program, contact the athletic director or visit the Peoria Public Schools Foundation for donations.
EARLY COLLEGE
Peoria Public Schools offers a robust early college program. Whether students want to earn some dual credits in career and technical education (CTE), general education courses for freshmen year of college, or want to earn an associates degree as a high school junior and senior, we have the right program for your student. Our students take dual credit courses during the school day or may transfer in credits from evening classes. The D2 dual degree program, for junior and senior year, is designed for students to earn an associates degree in arts or science, covers all tuition, and has students on ICC campus all day. A new "Senior Year at ICC," program takes place in 2023-2024. Contact high school counselors for more information or see links to the left. The application process for all dual credit begins in mid-fall semester of sophomore or junior year depending on program.
